Personally I like the sting. It also is a good indicator if I've over done it and have been too aggressive with the razor. I like the tight feel of my skin after I use the Alum after the shave. I also like after shaves that sting a bit after the shave, after the minor sting, the skin feels refreshed...

.... But, by comparison, those straights I had pulled like the dickens, even with the grain, on the first pass. I am convinced that full-time traditional open razor shavers are simply used to it, and so it doesn't bother them. After 40+ years of DEs though, it drove me nuts. Regards, Gordon IMO, th...

I can get BBS shaves with all 3. I get my best shaves with the str8, then the Feather AC, then last are my DE's. I normally shave with a str8 every day, but once in a while use my Feather or DE. The technique for each is very different. Obviously the Feather AC is similar to the traditional straight...

Well, that was one shave. Give it some more time before you make up your mind. I love my traditional straight razors, but I get a closer shave with much less effort when I use the Feather. For me, there isn't much difference in effort with FAC and my striaghts. Stropping doesn't take but 1 minute a...

I have only been shaving with a DE for a week. I still need to touch up with a Mach 3. Depending on my schedule I don't have time to use a DE and have to use the Mach. Give it some time. Try different blades and soaps/creams, etc. Also pay attention to hair growth direction. Most people's neck hair...

Sounds like you're off to a good start. Keep at it and ask any questions, even if you think they have been asked before. Lot's of good advice and information here. It is helpful to search for archives for information, but don't spend hours doing that....